Apparatus for forming flutes in hollow lampposts



Sept. 25, 1951 H. GUTHMANN APPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTES IN HOLLOW LAMPPOSTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1949 Inventor Hans Gufhmann is.and awayfim Sept. 25, 1951 H. GUTHMANN APPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTES INHOLLOW LAMP POSTS 5 Sheets-Sh eet 2 Filed March 16, 1949 M m I o A D Q mm M? m U a. M 8 H W, m F

Sept. '25, 1951 GUTHMANN 2,568,730

APPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTE-S IN HOLLOW LAMP POSTS v 5 Shgefs-SheetFiled March 16, 1949 Inventor Hans GuMmann Sept. 25, 1951 H. GUTHMANNAPPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTES IN HOLLOW LAMP POSTS Filed March 1 .6, 19495Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. /0.

Inventor Hans GuMmann APPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTES IN HOLLOW LAMP POSTS5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Marsh 16, 1949 In ventor Hans GuMmann PatentedSept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFHQE APPARATUS FOR FORMING FLUTESIN HOLLOW LAMPPOSTS 17 Claims. 1

' This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flutingmachines and the primary object of the present invention is to provide amachine for fluting tapered metal columns.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide afluting machine ineluding a plurality of flute forming rollers and avertically movable mandrel supporting a metal column that is forcedagainst the rollers as the mandrel is lowered, and due to the verticalmovement of the mandrel the unusually large area or provide an apparatushaving the aforementioned" features and including a means whereby themandrel will be swung to a vertically inclined position, automatically,during the raising of the mandrel so that the column may be removed fromthe mandrel to a convenient manner.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a fluting machineincluding a vertically movable carriage and means detachably securing amandrel to the carriage so that the mandrel and carriage may be quicklyand readily secured to or removed from each other.

Another feature of the present invention i to provide a machine forfluting metal columns including a plurality of radially movable rollerunits for pressing against a metal column and embodying a means forindependently adjusting and limiting the sliding movement of the rollerunits so that grooves or recesses of a predetermined depth may be formedin the column.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a fluting machineincluding a mandrel raising and lowering means, flute forming rolleractuating means and novel and improved means for operating both of saidaforementioned means so that as a column is moved vertically, fluteswiill be made in the column.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forfluting metal columns so constructed as to permit flutes to be orlowered.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a machine forfiuting metal columns so designed. as to reduce the maintenance requireddue to the relative arrangement of parts.

formed in a column as the said column is raised A further object of thepresent invention is to provide a flutin machine that is manuallycontrolled so that continuous or broken flutes may be formed in a metalcolumn as the column is raised or lowered against a plurality of fluteforming rollers.

A still further aim of th present invention is to provide an apparatusof the aforementioned character that is simple and practical inconstruction, strong and reliable in use, durable and highly efficientin operation, small and compact in structure, neat and attractive inappearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise welladapted for the purposes for which the same in intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the present invention and showing thesame in use;

Figure 2 is a reduced elevational view of the present invention andshowing the manner in which the mandrel and the column on the mandrelare swung outwardly as the mandrel is raised;

Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyon the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional View takensubstantially on the plane of section line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of sectionline 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse horizontal sectional view showing thefirst flute forming operation;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing th manner in whichthe rollers are urged against the metal column to force the column overthe ribs of the mandrel;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the slides used in conjunctionwith the present invention and showing a flute forming roller appliedthereto;

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal vertical sectionalview of Figure 1 and illustrating the mandrel raising and lowering meansas well as the means for securin the mandrel to the carriage and to theraising and lowering means for the mandrel;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse horizontal sectional View takensubstantially on the plane of section line Ill-I0 of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of Figure 1 showing thecarriag support in crosssection and illustrating the manner in which themetal column is loosened from the mandrel during the raising of themandrel and the column on the mandrel; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic system for thepresent invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein, for the purpose ofillustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the numeral It represents an elongated and taperedcylindrical mandrel upon which the fluting of a sheet metal column 12 isperformed. The mandrel ill is provided with aiplurality ofcircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending fiat surfaces it thatare spaced from each other by further flat surfaces It.

The flat inner surfaces It of a plurality of elongated ribs 20 bearagainst the surfaces 14 and these ribs 28 are preferably semi-circularin cross-section. Longitudinal strips 22 integrally formed with thesurfaces [8 of the ribs 29 are suitably fixed in grooves or recesses 24provided in the surfaces ill.

Base construction The numeral 26 represents the base thatis used inconjunction with the present invention generally, and which includesupper and lower ring members 28 and 30 that are retained spaced parallelto each other by spacers 32 fixed between the said upper and lowerplates. The base 26 is disposed in a recess 34 in a floor 35 andsurrounds a vertically extending pit or hole 38 having a ladder 40disposed therein so that the pit may be cleaned by attendants using theladder.

Support A pair of H.beams or I-beams 42 rise from diametrically oppositesides of the upper plate '28 and are removably secured to the plate 28by brackets 44. The beams 32 extend vertically in spaced parallelrelationship and their upper ends are joined by a cross-head Carriage Avertically movable carriag 48 is associated with the support or beams 32and includes a plurality of guide rollers 50 that track along theflanges of the beams 42.

Mandrel raising and lowering means The cross-member or head 65 isprovided with a central opening 52 that receives the open end of a pumpcylinder 55 and a flange 56 at the open end of the pump cylinder '56 issuitably fixed a recess 58 in the lower face of the cross-member 46.

The upper flanged portion 69 of the pump cylinder 54 is secured to anend plate 62 by fasteners or the like 54 .and the end plate 62 iscentrally apertured, as at 65, to receive a tubular conduit or pistonrod '68 that is disposed axially of the pump cylinder 54!. The upper endof the piston rod 63 is threaded and receives suitable washers and nuts72 for holding the piston rod '58 relative to the end plate 52.

An annular shoulder or ring M is fixed to and depends from the lowerface of the end plate 62 and is spaced from the periphery of the pistonrod 68' and the inner periphery of the pump cylinder 54. An innerflexible inverted channel-shaped sealing ring I6 bears against the lowerface of the .end plate 62 and is disposed between the ring 14 and theouter periphery of the piston rod 68 to walls of the .pump cylinder .54.

4 prevent fluid in the pump cylinder from passing outwardly through theaperture 56, and an outer flexible, inverted, channel-shaped sealingring 18 bears against thelower face of the end plate 62 and is disposedbetween the ring 14 and the inner periphery of the pump cylinder 54 toprevent fluid in the pump cylinder from passing betweentheflangedportion=59and the end plate 62.

.A cylinder is slidably received in 'the open lower end of the pumpcylinder 54 and its upper wall 82 is centrally apertured, as at 84, toslidably receive the piston rod 58. A ring 85 rises from the upper wall82 and is spaced from the outer periphery of the piston rod 88 and theinner peripheryof Y the pump cylinder 54.

Aninner flexible, preferably leather, channels'haped sealing ring 88bears against the upper face 'of the end wall 82 and is disposed betweenthe ring 86 and the outer periphery of the piston rod-6.8 .to preventfluid in the pump cylinder .54 or cylinder .85 from passing through theopening ,84.

.of the ;pump cylinder 54 .to prevent .a fluid in .the .pump cylinder 54from passing .between the outer walls of the cylinder (80 land the inner.A further scaling ring .81 is recessed in the lower face of the wall.82. forcontacting the rod .58.

A piston head 92 is fixed to the lower end of the piston rod 58 and isdisposed within the cylinder -85. This piston head 32 is provided withan annular rib or ring '98 on its upper surface that is spaced from theinner surface-of the cylinder 8.5, and a flexible, preferably leather,channel-shaped sealing ring 95 bears upon the upper .face of the pistonhead .92 .and .is disposed between the rib 94 and the inner periphery ofthe cylinder 80 to prevent fluid entering the cylinder 80, by way of .atransverse delivery port I98 in the piston rod 68, from passingdownwardly between the piston head 92 and the inner periphery of thecylinder 80.

.The upper open end of the piston .rod 68 receives va delivery line Hill.and the pump cylinder 54 is provided with a combined inlet .and outletnipple I92 that is connected to a combined inlet and'outlet line I54.

Means securing the carriage and the mandrel to the mandrel raising andlowering means The carriage '48 is provided with a socketed member Hi6that embraces and which is threaded to the lower open and externallythreaded end Hi3 10f the cylinder 80.

,A retaining plug HE! forming a part of member 1155 is fitted in the endIE8 and includes a central, upwardly and inwardly tapered "opening H2that receives a threaded rod H4 projecting from the upper, smoothsurfaced, cylindrical end portion I 16 of the mandrel it.

A nut H8 is threaded on the rod i i and bears upon the plug H8 to holdthe mandrel relative to the cylinder 88 and so that the mandrel canswing to a vertically inclined position when the carriage and themandrel are raised .to their uppermost position or to' a raised positionso that the lower end of the mandrel is disposed above the base 26.

The lower end of the rod 1 I4 is enlarged to form a frusto-conicalportion I20 that will be seated in the opening 81 2 when the mandrel andthe carriage are being lowered to prevent ends wise movement of themandrel relative'to the cylinder 80 during the lowering operation of themandrel.

Means for loosening a column from the mandrel during the raising of themandrel Means is provided for loosening the metal column I2 from themandrel as the mandrel and column are raised, and this means comprises acollar I22 slidably received on the upper end portion I I6 of themandrel. V

The lower edge I23 of the collar I22 normally bears upon a shoulder orrib I24 onthe portion I I6 and the upper end of the collar I22 is formedwith a flange I26 from whichlugs I28 rise.

The lower end of the collar I22 is provided with a depending sleeve orskirt I30 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outerdiameter of the rib I 24 so that the same can slide downwardly over therib I24 to abut the upper edge of the metal column I2.

A pair of pivotal arms or holding members I32 are secured to the beams42, adjacent the lower ends of the beams, and are swung inwardly to.grip the lugs I28 after the mandrel and the column have been loweredinto the pit 38.

When the mandrel and the column are raised from their lowered position,as shown in Figure 11, the collar I22 will be held against upwardmovement so that the skirt I30 will hold the column I2 against upwardmovement until the mandrel has been raised a slight amount, therebyloosening the column from the mandrel. The arms I32 are then removedfrom the lugs I28 after the mandrel has been raisedand swung to avertically inclined position and the column is then raised from therollers.

'A set screw I34 carried by the collar I22 is adjustable to bear againstthe end portion I I6 when it is desirable to space the skirt I30 abovethe rib I24.

Means for swinging the mandrel and column Means is provided for swingingthe mandrel I to a vertically inclined position automatically with theraising of the same so that the column can be quickly and readilyremoved from its supported position on the rollers I44. This meanscomprises a contact arm or laterally projecting member I36 that isrigidly secured to the end portion I I6.

A stop I38 fixed to and projecting laterally from one of the beams 42will abut the arm I36 after the mandrel has been raised from the pit andthe base 26 to swing themandrel to the position shown in Figure 2, atwhich time the column can be removed from the rollers I44 by hand or bysuitable mechanical means, such as a hoist.

Flute forming means A plurality of circumferentially spaced, radiallydisposed, guides or open-ended casings I40 are fixed between the upperand lower plates 28 and of the base 26 and slidably receive roller unitsor slides I42 having inner bifurcated ends that rotatably supportrollers I44. The rollers I44 have beveled edges I46 and I48 and areslightly thicker than the width of the surfaces I4 for a purpose whichwill later be more fully apparent.

The outside end flanges I50 of the guides I are removably secured to theend flanges I52 and I54 of a plurality of cylinders I56, by bolts andnuts I58, so that the end plates I52 bear against :and are threaded tothe slides I42.

the flanges I50 and the cylinders I56 are disposed in longitudinalalignment with the guides I40 and slides I42.

The end flanges or plates I52 and I54 are centrally apertured toslidably receive tubular piston rods I60 that support piston heads I62.The piston heads I62 support flexible, channel-shaped sealing rings I64on both their faces that will expand during movement of the piston rodsI60 and piston heads I62 to prevent a fluid within the cylinders I56from passing between the inner peripheries of the cylinders I56 and theouter peripheries of the piston heads I62.

Rings I66 are provided on the inner faces of the end plates I52 and I54and are spaced from the outer peripheries of the piston rods I60.

'Flexible, channel-shaped sealing rings I68 bear against the inner facesof the end plates I52 and I54 and are disposed between the outerperipheries of the piston rods I60 and the rings I66 to prevent a fluidwithin the cylinders I56 from passing between piston rods I60 and theend plates I52 and I54 and outwardly of the cylinders I56 and furtherflexible sealing rings I61 are received in channels I69 provided in therings I66 and bear against the rods I60.

Rods I10 are received in the piston rods I60 The outer head ends I12 ofthe rods I10 abut the outer ends of the piston rods I60 so that the rodsI10 and slides I42 will be moved with the piston rods I60.

The outer ends of the piston rods I60 are threaded to receive adjustablestops or nuts I14 that will engage the end plates I54 to limit theinward sliding movement of the members I42.

Each of the cylinders I56 is provided with a pair of combined inlet andoutlet ports I16 that are connected by branch pipes I18 to a supplyconduit I80.

Reference is now directed to Figure 12, wherein there is disclosed thehydraulic system em- :'ployed in conjunction with the present inveniheadI94 in the cylinder I92.

tion. This hydraulic system includes a source of supply or tank I82 thatis connected to the supply line I and to the intake side of a suitablepump, such as a gear pump I84, by a conduit or line I86.

A pair of branch lines I88 and I90 extend from the outlet side of thepump I84 and are connected to a pump cylinder I92 for moving a mainpiston The piston head I84 is secured to a piston rod I96 that supportsa plurality of auxiliary piston heads I98. The piston heads I98 aremounted in further cylinders 200.

It should be noted that there is a cylinder 260 for each cylinder I56and that the conduits I18 leading from each cylinder I56 are connectedto the cylinders 200 associated therewith so that as the main pistonhead I94 is moved in one direction the piston heads I98 will be moved ina similar direction to simultaneously actuate the piston rods I60.

The pump cylinder I92 is provided with any suitable number of checkvalves or release valves 7 202, that are manually operated for stoppingthe lines I90 and 188, respectively, although control valves 12M and 296are disposed in the lines Hill :and me so that fluid pressure to themandrel raising and lowering mechanism can be arrested when desired by amanual actuation of the valves 265 and 206.

A pair of lines 263 and 2H} branch from the lines I88 and W6,respectively, and lead to the source 82 and these latest lines, namely,lines 298 and 2H), constitute return lines for the cylinders 5, I56,I92, and 268.

The lines 268 and Eli are controlled by valves H2 and 2 it suitablysecured thereto and the lines l88 and I98 are controlled by valves 2H;and 2 l8.

Means is provided for checking any loss of fluid in the lines H8 and thecylinders its and thereby permitting equalized movement of the slidesHi2. This means comprises a check valve 223 in each line H8 sopositioned as to permit a small quantity of the hydraulic fluid used tobe disposed adjacent the cylinders 288, as an induction charge to besucked into the cylinders 2110 when needed.

In practical use of present invention, a tapered cylindrical metalcolumn, such as at i2, is slipped upwardly over the mandrel and isfrictionally fitted to the mandrel.

The cylinder 8& is then lowered by fluid entering the cylinder asthrough the line and the column is forced between the rollers Md atwhich point the portion 12d will enter seat H2.

As the mandrel and column are lowered into the pit 38, the fluid fromthe source l82 will be forced into the ports lit to move the slides M2and rollers I4 3 outwardly to accommodate the taper of the column andportions of the column will be forced against the surfaces IQ of themandrel as shown in Figure '7.

If a portion of the column is not to be fluted, the valves 282 can becontrolled to move the rollers Edd so that the same will not pressagainst the column.

After the column has been lowered into the pit and fluted, to thedesired degree, the valve 285 is opened and the valves 395, M6 and H8are closed to retain the rollers i i l in their outermost position. Asfluid is pumped through the line Hi0 and enters the cylinder 8?] betweenthe piston head 92 and end wall the cylinder 89 will be raised "andlikewise the carriage d8, mandrel ill and column [2.

Obviously, the column is loosened from the mandrel and the mandrel israised and swung to a vertically inclined position as previouslydescribed, through the'use of the arms H32 and stop E38 and the column12 is removed from the rollers i' l i supporting th same.

By controlling the fluid entering cylinders I55 so that the rollers Hilwill move inwardly as the mandrel is raised, it is apparent that thecolumn 52 could be fluted as the same is raised from its position in thepit although this operation is less desirable due to the swivelconnection lid and the fact that other loosening means for separatingthe column from the mandrel must be enforced. 7

An important feature of the invention is the manner in which the partscan be conveniently serviced for inspection or replacement of theleather rings used or the other parts, and in this regard it is notedthat the sealing rings will expand or spread in response to an internalpressure in the cylinders where the same are employed.

Then, too, the vertical movement of the mandrel will effect anyequalizing stress on the col- 8 umn or pressure on the column by therollers and the weight of the column and mandrel will-aid the forming offlutes in th column.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine for fluting tapered metal columns, a tapering mandrel, avertically disposed support, a vertically movable carriage slidable onthe support and secured to the mandrel, a base for the support. aplurality of rollers slidably mounted on the base and disposed radiallyof the mandrel for pressing a column against the mandrel, and a commonhydraulic means for simultaneously imparting vertical movement to thecarriage and horizontal movement to the rollers, said hydraulic meansincluding means associated with said rollers for resisting the pressureplaced on the rollers by a column mounted on the mandrel.

2. In a machine for fluting tapered metal columns, a tapering mandrelhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinallyextending, tapering ribs; a base embracing the mandrel; a plurality ofrollers disposed radially of the mandrel, slidably carried by the baseand arranged substantially perpendicular to the mandrel; a supportrising from and secured to the base; a vertically movable carriagecarried by the support and secured to the mandrel; means mounted on thesupport for raising and lowering the carriage; and means for urging therollers from the mandrel during the lowering of the mandrel and thecarriage and including a means associated with the rollers for resistingthe pressure placed on the rollers by the work.

3. In a machine for fluting tapered metal columns, a tapering mandrelhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinallyextending, taper-ing ribs, a base embracing the mandrel, a plurality ofrollers disposed radially of the mandrel, said rollers being slidablycarried by the base and arranged substantially perpendicular to themandrel, a support rising from and secured to the base, a verticallymovable carriage carried by the support and secured to the-mandrel,hydraulic means mounted on the support for raising and lowering themandrel and the carriage, further hydraulic means for moving the rollersfrom the mandrel during lowering of the mandrel, and a common source ofpower for said hydraulic 'meansand said further hydraulic means, saidfurther hydraulic means including means associated with the rollers forresisting the pressure placed on the rollers by a column embracing themandrel.

4. The combination of claim 3 and means for loosening a column from themandrel during the raising thereof.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means includes a pair ofholding arms pivoted to said support.

6. The combination of claim 3 and means for swinging the mandrel at avertically inclined position for removing the column from the rollersafter the raising of the mandrel.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means includes a stop securedto said support, a swivel connection between the mandrel and thecarriage, and a contact arm fixed to the mandrel for engaging the stop.

8. In a machine for fluting tapered metal columns, a tapering mandrelhaving a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spacedtapering ribs, 2. base having an opening for receiving the mandrel and acolumn mounted on the mandrel, a series of slides carried bythe base,movable radially of the mandrel and supporting rollers for pressing acolumn over the ribs, a support rising from the base, a verticallymovable carriage mounted on the support, means securing the carriage tothe mandrel, guides mounted on the base slidably receiving the slides,means for actuating the slides to urge the slides from the mandrelduring lowering of the mandrel, adjustable stop means limiting slidingmove- I ment of the slides relative to the guides, and means for raisingand lowering the carriage, said slide actuating means including meansassociated with the slides for resisting the pressure placed on therollers by a column mounted on the mandrel 9. The combination of claim 8wherein said means for actuating said slides includes a pump cylindermounted on each of said guides, tubular piston rods slidably carried bysaid cylinders, pistons on said rods and received in said cylinders andoperating rods secured to said slides and received in said rods.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said means for actuating saidslides includes a pump cylinder mounted on each of said guides, tubularpiston rods slidably carried by said cylinders, pistons on said rods andreceived in said cylinders and operating rods secured to said slides andreceived in said rods, said adjustable stop means including nutsthreadedon said rods and adapted to abut the cylinders.

11. The combination of claim 10 and means for sealingthe piston rod tothe cylinders and preventing fluid within the cylinders from passingfrom the said cylinders.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said means includes a pluralityof continuous channel shaped, flexible sealing rings, said rings beingresponsive to internal pressures within the cylinders for expanding.

13. The combination of claim 3 wherein said mandrel includes a pluralityof longitudinally extending fiat surfaces, said surfaces being disposedbetween adjacent ribs, said rollers being double beveled and havingperipheral surfaces opposing the flat surfaces of said mandrel.

14. In a machine for fluting tapered metal 001- umns, a tapering mandrelhaving a plurality .pf longitudinally extending, circumferentially drel,adjustable stop means limiting sliding movement of the slides relativeto the guides, and means for raising and lowering the carriage, saidmeans securing said carriage to said mandrel including a swivelconnector permitting swinging movement of the mandrel relative to thecarriage, said slide actuating means including means associated withsaid slides for resisting the pressure placed on the rollers by a columnmounted on the mandrel.

15. In a machine for fluting tapered metal columns, a tapering mandrelhaving a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spacedtapering ribs, a base having an opening for receiving the mandrel and acolumn mounted on the mandrel, a series of slides carried by the base,said slides being disposed radially of the mandrel and supportingrollers for pressing a column over the ribs, a support rising from thebase, a vertically movable carriage mounted on the support, meanssecuring the carriage to the mandrel, guides mounted on the baseslidably receiving the slides, means for moving the slides from themandrel during lowering of the mandrel, adjustable stop means limitingsliding movement of the slides relative to the guides and toward themandrel, means for raising and lowering the mandrel and the carriage,means for loosening a column from the mandrel during the raising of themandrel and a column on the mandrel, and means for swinging the mandrelat an inclined angle to the support during the raising of the mandrel,said slide moving means including means associated with the slidesresisting pressure on the rollers by a column on the mandrel.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said means for loosening acolumn from the mandrel includes a pair of holding arms pivoted on saidsupport and a collar on said mandrel adapted to abut a column on themandrel and engageable with said holding arm.

1'7. The combination of claim 15 wherein said last-mentioned meansincludes an arm fixed to and projecting laterally from the mandrel, anda stop on the support adapted to engage said arm during the raising ofthe mandrel.

HANS GUTHMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 838,569 Numan Dec. 18, 1906890,526 Numan June 9, 1908 1,714,108 Schlafiy May 21, 1929 1,747,602Riemenschneider Feb. 18, 1930 2,155,973 Irwine et al Apr. 25, 1939

